Is Honda Doing The Wrong Thing By Downsizing The Upcoming S2000?

It’s no secret that Mazda has ruled the compact, affordable sports car segment with the MX-5 Miata. With interest for the Miata going through the roof, automakers like Toyota and Honda are looking towards creating vehicles that can go head-to-head with Mazda. The Honda S2000 was in production from 2000 to 2009 and is set to make a comeback in the near future. According to a rumor from Autocar, Honda is planning on turning the next iteration of the S2000 into a Miata-fighter.

Autocar reports that Honda’s engineers attended a S2000 owners’ club event to ensure that the next variant will slot into the right market. “Representatives from Honda’s advanced engineering department are said to have attended a recent S2000 owners’ club event in the British Isles—a sign that the firm wants to listen to enthusiasts in order to help it position the next version of the car accurately.” While that’s not a lot to go off of, Honda would be making a mistake by not targeting the MX-5 as its main competitor. Autocar also predicts that the S2000 would honor the last model with its powertrain. “The new S2000 will stay true to the original’s principles of a front-mounted engine, sited behind the axle line, and rear-wheel drive.”

So far, the next S2000 is looking like it will be a direct competitor to the Miata, but the most important aspect of the rumor is the vehicle’s performance. “It will be pitched as a faster alternative to the MX-5, although its performance should be more of a match for that car’s stablemate, the forthcoming Fiat 124 Spider…” Autocar also reports that the S2000 will come in two variants: a base model with a 1.5-liter turbo four from the Honda Civic and a more hardcore version with the Honda Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. While the rumors are a little far-fetched, a S2000 that’s faster than the Miata sounds amazing.